Posted on 07/16/2012 11:47:36 AM PDT by Hunton Peck
UPDATED 7/16/12: 4 additional senators have joined in opposition to LOST, including Mike Johanns (R-NE), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA). With 34 senators against the misguided treaty, LOST will not be ratified by the Senate this year.
Strong opposition is rising in the U.S. Senate to the U.N.'s Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) that would subjugate American sovereignty to the whims of an international tribunal. To date, 30 Republican senators have signed onto a letter opposing LOST. It takes 67 votes to approve treaties in the Senate, so only 34 votes are needed to ensure defeat of this misguided treaty.
Why is LOST so harmful?
It would act as a backdoor Kyoto Protocol, forcing us into cap and trade policies that would destroy jobs and harm our economy. It would cost the U.S. trillions of dollars in international royalties to nations including state sponsors of terror like Sudan and “undemocratic, despotic or brutal governments in Belarus, Burma, China or Zimbabwe.” Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton warned it would embolden China, “constrain U.S. naval activities, and do nothing to resolve China's expansive maritime territorial claims.” Radical environmental groups have lined up in support of LOST. President Ronald Reagan strongly opposed the treaty as a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Below is the text of the letter and the current list of senators who have joined in opposition. Senator DeMint is still working to collect more signatures.
The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Leader,
We understand that Chairman Kerry has renewed his efforts to pursue Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are writing to let you know that we believe this Convention reflects political, economic, and ideological assumptions which are inconsistent with American values and sovereignty.
By its current terms, the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security, and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution.
To effect the treaty’s broad regime of governance, we are particularly concerned that United States sovereignty could be subjugated in many areas to a supranational government that is chartered by the United Nations under the 1982 Convention. Further, we are troubled that compulsory dispute resolution could pertain to public and private activities including law enforcement, maritime security, business operations, and nonmilitary activities performed aboard military vessels.
If this treaty comes to the floor, we will oppose its ratification.
Sincerely yours,
Jon Kyl Jim Inhofe Roy Blunt Pat Roberts David Vitter Ron Johnson John Cornyn Jim DeMint Tom Coburn John Boozman Rand Paul Jim Risch Mike Lee Jeff Sessions Mike Crapo Orrin Hatch John Barrasso Richard Shelby John Thune Richard Burr Saxby Chambliss Dan Coats John Hoeven Roger Wicker Marco Rubio Jim Moran Dean Heller Pat Toomey Chuck Grassley Mitch McConnell
Thank GOD for Sen. Jim DeMint! And if Grahamnesty votes for this thing it will be further writing on his tombstone for 2014.
How can we be sure Obama won’t just executive order this??
I’m surprised that the vote is that close. How many votes are necessary to ratify a treaty?
Rumsfeld had an excellent article in the WSJ about LOST Treaty and it is really a frightening threat to the sovereignty of the US. The law of the Sea Treaty is actually a big step toward the one world government redistribution through the regulation of trade, a real George Soros type of treaty.
I blasted my senator (Johanns) last week about switching his support. Evidently he must have received an email blast because this is a less than a week turnaround.
“How many votes are necessary to ratify a treaty?”
Two thirds of those present.
Outstanding news! Thank you, Sen. DeMint.
LLS
Obozo will just implement it anyway...........
Glad you did, I meant to but didn’t get to it. This should be such a no-brainer. I like Johanns in a lot of ways, but in some, he seems so wishy-washy. Go Huskers!
Yes, way past time to upgrade his Senate seat.
not enough votes in the senate for LOST to pass?, no problem. obozo will just send Luca to visit each of those senators prior to their voting and its a done deal. I wonder which one is now more powerful, the the mafia Don in Chicago or the obozo in the WH? Whore House works too.
vaudine
The big porker Thad Cochran is always a ? on so many things. I wish he would just enjoy his retirement, 34 years is enough.
Amazing to me that a political person hasn't had an opinion years ago, one way or the other, about this treaty, which is so important to our sovreignty.-Tom
Lugar will probably vote for it, just to be a vindictive pr*ck.
After seeing an Obamanation as POTUS and the recent failure of SCOTUS to uphold the Constitution, I have become convinced the battleground must be fought in the halls of Congress.
The House and Senate are designed to be closer to the representation of voters of this country and we need a strong conservative majority on both houses to keep this country on the path our founders envisioned.
Congress makes the laws and can not support libs as Justices and can impeach any in the Executive or Judiciary but they need to have the balls to do so. We the people have a better chance with them than the other two branches.
Recall that George W. was doing some very non-conservative things like on immigration and Harriet Myers until we stopped him by making sure our voice was heard not by him but by our representatives and senators.
This treaty should be looked at the same way.
I sent Scott the article on why Reagan would still be against LOST. Put it on his Facebook page.
I sent Scott the article on why Reagan would still be against LOST. Put it on his Facebook page.
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